A disastrous ten minute spell midway through the first half cost the OHAFC 1st XI four goals and any chance of earning points from this tricky fixture away to the Old Wykehamists on the astroturf at Club des Sports in Acton. In a game played in blazing sunshine and temperatures more suited to the heights of summer, the Blues competed well for pretty much the remainder of the match, winning the second half by a goal to nil, Nic Blinoff finishing from close range. But a lack of discipline at set-pieces proved fatal, the tall Winchester side pouncing from two corners, a free-kick and a penalty. The hosts could even afford to miss a second-half penalty, the damage having already been done.

With nominal skipper Dan Firoozan absent, Ed Beecham took on full responsibility for organising the thirteen who travelled. Included in the group, for the first time this season, was Ogyen Verhagen, the young winger back from a spell in the Netherlands for six months and immediately available for selection. Cyprian Owen Edmunds was also making his season bow, although starting from the bench, the skipper starting with the now-customary 5-2-3 formation, Ali Buckley chosen to partner Beecham and Ed Nicholson at the back.

Although the astroturf pitch at the rather grandiosely titled Club des Sports is a relatively new facility, the pitch is a tricky one to master, with the wide flat surface slow and surprisingly difficult to dribble on. But the visitors made a decent start here, passing the ball with some confidence around the back and into midfield. Progressing the ball further forwards proved difficult with the tricky, pacey front three of Payne, Verhagen and Acar making little headway against the sizeable Winchester rearguard.

But the hosts had done little to suggest they could find a way through either, with keeper Fraser McGuinness hardly tested in the Harrow goal. All that changed, however, in a crazy period of play that saw the hosts capitalise from no fewer than four set-pieces in quick succession.

Another long shot was parried behind by McGuinness and the resulting corner was whipped in to the near post. The ball flew over the Harrow defender on the post, was then missed by a Wykehamist, but his failed attempt to prod the ball in froze the defenders on the line and the ball somehow bounced up and inside the far post.

Barely three minutes later the visitors were caught out once more, this time from a free-kick expertly delivered to the back post from forty yards out. All that was required was a glancing touch and one of Winchester’s taller players provided it, the ball speeding inside the far post.

Further pressure on the Harrow goal saw another couple of corners forced and although these were defended soundly enough, a third delivery caused a scramble inside the box, the eventual shot forcing McGuinness into a save from which the rebound was pounced upon.

When skipper Ed Beecham then conceded a penalty for a trip inside the box, the visitors justified early hopes of earning something from the game lay in ruins. Substitutes Jamie Jordache and Cyprian Owen Edmunds were brought off the bench, but the damage had already been done.

To Harrow’s credit, the second half was a very even affair, with the Blues shading possession and chances. Nic Blinoff scored the only goal of the half, finishing from close range after Harry Bick’s effort had been parried by the keeper. Blinoff was then almost immediately booked for a fairly reckless challenge on the defender, one of many free-kicks that littered the early stages of the half as referee Josh Jones found himself required at regular intervals.

The match official found himself in the spotlight once more, late on, when he awarded a second penalty against the Harrow skipper, although this seemed extremely harsh as he battled with the Wykehamist striker on the goal line in what looked a pretty even contest. Justice was served, however, as McGuinness made an excellent stop with his feet, the ball having been drilled down the middle of the goal, before the striker, to much amusement from those in blue, then blazed the rebound miles over the bar from barely five yards out.

Nevertheless, there was no doubting who was the happier come the final whistle, the home side having earned their first win of the season, in the process narrowing the gap on the OHAFC to just a single point. The Blues now face the side who sit just above them in the table, the Old Tonbridgians the visitors to the Hill next weekend.